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AP Technology NewsBrief at 10:10 a.m. EST(Associated Press Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Comcast, FCC take net neutrality dispute to courtWASHINGTON (AP) _ The Federal Communications Commission staked out new ground nearly three months ago when it began drafting rules that would require Internet providers to give equal treatment to all data flowing over their networks. Now the FCC hopes to use a dispute with the nation's largest cable TV and Internet provider to establish its legal authority to adopt such "network neutrality" regulations. The rules would aim to prevent phone and cable companies from abusing their control over the market for high-speed Internet access. MagicJack's next act: disappearing cell phone feesLAS VEGAS (AP) _ The company behind the magicJack, the cheap Internet phone gadget that's been heavily promoted on TV, has made a new version of the device that allows free calls from cell phones in the home, in a fashion that's sure to draw protest from cellular carriers. The new magicJack uses, without permission, radio frequencies for which cellular carriers have paid billions of dollars for exclusive licenses. E-reader boom kindles a variety of new optionsLAS VEGAS (AP) _ When most people think of electronic book readers, Amazon's thin, white Kindle probably springs to mind. But that could be about to change. A cascade of e-readers will hit the market this year, taking the devices far beyond gray-scale screens with features like touch navigation and video chatting _ and probably lowering prices, too. Intel rolls out new chips that show lead over AMDSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Intel Corp. rolled out new computer chips Thursday that highlight the company's lead over Advanced Micro Devices Inc. in its ability to shrink the circuitry inside its processors. Intel's new Core chips, unveiled at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, are the company's first to feature tiny parts whose average width is 32 nanometers, or 32 billionths of a meter. Palm Pre, Pixi coming to Verizon WirelessLAS VEGAS (AP) _ Palm Inc. said Thursday that two upgraded versions its Pre and Pixi smart phones will come to Verizon Wireless on Jan. 25. The announcement at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas brings more smart phone choices to Verizon Wireless customers. However, the carrier is throwing its weight behind smart phones running Google Inc.'s Android software, positioning those as its main alternative to AT&T Inc.'s iPhone. Ford adding tweets to its Sync in-car technologyLAS VEGAS (AP) _ Ford Motor Co. is adding Twitter messages and Internet radio to its in-car entertainment and communication service, known as Sync, and suggests that the voice-activated system is safer for drivers than trying to manipulate applications on their cell phones. Ford CEO Alan Mulally told an audience at the International Consumer Electronics Show on Thursday that Sync is designed as a way for drivers to do things like chat with their kids and make dinner reservations, "all while keeping their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel." French panel: Tax Google to fund the artsPARIS (AP) _ How to help prop up the ailing music industry? Tax Google, suggests a new report commissioned by the French government. The report, handed to Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand on Wednesday, says Google and other Internet portals should be slapped with a new tax on their online ad revenues in France to fund the development of legal outlets for buying books, movies and especially music on the Internet. TV makers ready to test depths of market for 3-DLAS VEGAS (AP) _ This is supposedly the year 3-D television becomes the hot new thing: Updated sets and disc players are coming out, and 3-D cable channels are in the works. But it's not clear the idea will reach out and grab mainstream viewers. Besides having to spring for expensive new TVs, people would have to put on awkward special glasses to give the picture the illusion of depth. That limits 3-D viewing to times when viewers can sit down and focus on a movie or show. Microsoft shows off Windows tablets at gadget showMicrosoft CEO Steve Ballmer showed off a new touch-screen, tablet-style computer from Hewlett-Packard Co., the first of several such devices expected to be unveiled this month. The tablet _ also known as a slate, a one-piece portable computer without a physical keyboard _ was one of several new PCs Ballmer demonstrated Wednesday as he delivered Microsoft Corp.'s customary keynote presentation on the eve of the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Mediacom, Sinclair averts TV blackout in 11 statesDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) _ Sinclair Broadcasting Group's television stations will remain on the lineups of Mediacom Communications Corp.'s cable TV systems after the two companies announced a new fee agreement Thursday to avert a blackout. About 700,000 Mediacom subscribers in 11 states had been at risk of losing Sinclair programming over Sinclair's demands that Mediacom pay more to carry its stations. A Jan. 1 deadline was extended to midnight Friday so football fans could still watch college bowl games on Sinclair stations as the two sides continued to negotiate. (c) 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |